Sea

noun SEA siː

Also spelled di sea, seaside

The sea — and, by extension, the beach or seaside. On this island nation, 'go dung a sea' (go down to the sea) means to go to the beach to bathe, cool off, and enjoy the water, a favourite outing, especially on a Sunday or a holiday. Never far from anyone on so small an island, the sea is bound up with fishing, with recreation, and with the whole life of the coast, and a day 'a sea' is one of the simple, treasured pleasures of Jamaican life, the family down at the water in the heat.

  • Come mek wi go dung a sea go bade.

    Come, let's go down to the sea to swim.

  • Di whole family gone a sea fi di day.

    The whole family has gone to the beach for the day.

  • Fisherman go out a sea before day bruk.

    Fishermen go out to sea before daybreak.

The plain word 'sea', but in island usage it doubles for 'the beach/seaside' ('go a sea' = go to the beach).

Often means 'the beach' — 'go a sea' = go to the seaside. Central to island life.